Vote for Pro-REALTOR® Candidates March 18

IAR/RPAC are involved in 10 "Opportunity Races" for the March 18 Illinois Primary. These are races for state and local office including REALTOR® Mark Batinick (97th District) who is running for an open seat in the Illinois House. Getting a candidate elected who understands REALTOR® issues can help stop bad bills and local ordinances that impact homeowners and the real estate business. Learn more and vote pro-REALTOR®!

Voters Urged to Vote Against Home Rule in Merrionette Park and Rochester on March 18

IAR/RVOICE are funding hard-hitting postcard campaigns in these two communities because "Home Rule is like handing local officials a blank check." It allows local governments to increase property taxes without first consulting voters and enact ordinances that could make it more expensive to rent and buy property, among other powers. Merrionette Park brochure | Rochester brochure

Invest $20 in RPAC to Protect Your Business

Your $20 fair share investment in RPAC can make a difference in an opportunity race, local referendum or fee battle. Invest today! (Disclaimer: The Illinois REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) solicits contributions from IAR members only.)

Amended Flood Insurance Bill Moves Forward

The U.S. House last week approved an amended Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act that would curb some premium increases for homeowners. The bill now heads to the Senate.Read more from NAR.

REALTORS® Talk Real Estate with Congressman Hultgren and Schakowsky

As part of IAR's continuing Let's Talk Real Estate series, northern Illinois REALTORS® met with U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren last week in Batavia to talk about real estate and the impact of federal housing policy. Illinois REALTORS® met with U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky in Glenview on Monday. Click here for details on upcoming Let's Talk Real Estate events.

Recent IDFPR Disciplinary Actions

Read about the latest disciplinary actions taken by the Real Estate Division of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

Brokers, Are You Ready for 2014 License Renewal? Take This Quiz

The deadline for renewing your real estate broker license is April 30, 2014. Are you prepared? Take this quick quiz to see if you know what's required to stay in the game.

REEF Academic Scholarship Deadline is April 1

Applications for the Real Estate Educational Foundation's (REEF) Academic scholarships must be submitted by April 1, 2014. Learn more about these and other REEF scholarships at www.ilreef.org.

Early-bird Registration Deadline for IAR Spring Conference is April 9

IAR members who register by April 9 for IAR Spring Conference & Expo pay the early-bird rate of just $99. This year's speaker lineup includes Kim Daugherty and Chris Bird with CE courses from Trista Curzydlo and Annette Akey. Register now.

Earn CE at Illinois Housing Leaders Conference

Attend the March 31 Illinois Housing Leaders Conference in Springfield and not only will you learn more about working with Boomerang Buyers returning to the housing market, you'll also have the opportunity to earn three hours of CE with Lynn Madison's course, "Financing: Unconventional is Becoming Conventional." Register by March 19.

IAR Capitol Conference is April 1

We want to see you in Springfield! Attend REALTOR® Lobby Day and add your voice to the hundreds of Illinois REALTORS® lobbying state lawmakers on behalf of private property rights and real estate industry issues. Register by March 19.

$25 Sticker Fee on For-Sale Signs Stopped in Country Club Hills

In a win for homeowners and the real estate market, the city of County Club Hills nixed its $25 city sticker fee on "For Sale" signs place in a window or the front lawn of a home for sale. It's a good example of an IAR/local GAD advocacy victory to save members from additional fees and taxes on the business of real estate.

Understanding Housing Generational Trends

Did you know more than half of Gen X and Gen Y buyers use a mobile device during their home search or that Gen X is the largest group of recent home sellers followed by Older Boomers? Learn more with NAR's report, "Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends."

Larger House, Short Commute on Relocating Employee Wish List

A bigger home, a short commute and a location close to their favored school district are among the key things relocating employees are looking for in their next home, according to a new survey. Read more on the IARbuzz blog.